Stress Paralyzed: ROW80

On Mother's Day, I went with my mother and three girls to see Mom's Night Out. I had never heard of this film until Mom suggested it. It was wonderful. Not only was it funny, but it was poignant--whoever wrote it truly understands the life of a mom. 

In the movie, the mom is overwhelmed with all the things she's not doing right and the multitude of tasks she faces in her everyday existence. Several times, she says she's stress paralyzed from it all.

That's it. That's me!

I have so many things in my head all the time, and some days I honestly don't know which way to turn. Before children, I was organized and prided myself on my time management skills.

I realize I'm blessed, yet I feel heavy with the pace I've let my life become. By having unrealistic expectations of what I can get done in any given day, I set myself up for failure. Worse, I can't see the wonderful achievements I have made through the thick smog of to-dos.

My goal--yes, this is where my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) mid-week update comes in--is to simplify my life. To do so, I'm going to do what works for me in times of confusion and frustration... put it down in black & white. 

Lately, every time I sit down and try to write a to-do list, I hyperventilate. But that's because I know I'm over-committed, and merely surviving each day is not good enough for me anymore. 

I realize no amount of planning can obliterate stress, but I refuse to be paralyzed by it any longer. I'm going to take a hard look at my load and decide what stays and what goes. What stays will get a dedicated schedule and plan of action. Wish me luck.

What do you do when you are stress paralyzed and life overwhelms you at every turn?

Writing this post was extremely cathartic for me, and I apologize if it seems overly Debbie-Downer. Please check back Friday when I'll share a few of the successes of my Chasing Shadows release. It'll be my way of getting back on the right track!

We Can Learn a Lot from Crayons

A dear friend from my college days (and we were pregnant twice together. Our first children are one week apart and our second children are two months apart!) sent this to me. It's great. Thanks, Beth!

Enjoy!

*****

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?' She fooled them all, "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

She continued, "And that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden—holding stress longer and better each time practiced.

So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night, pick them up tomorrow.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now, put them down for a moment. Relax, pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it and the now 'supposed' stress that you've conquered!"

1. Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!

2. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3. Always read stuff that makes you feel good..

4. Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker..

5. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague

6. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it..

7. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8. Never buy a car you can't push.

9. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance..

11. Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late..

12. The second mouse gets the cheese.
13. When everything's coming your way,  you're in the wrong lane.

14. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15. You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
16. Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.
17. We could learn a lot from crayons.

Some are sharp, some are pretty and
some are dull. Some have weird
names and all are different colors,
but they all have to live in the same box.

 

18. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

*****

Stress advice? Witty or helpful, either will make my day. Happy Saturday!